Friday, December 20, 2013



 Given I am a live-in home health aide, I basically have to fit my sewing activities around my client. And I mean literally. However, Vicki W. gave me special permission to show you my client's house as part of her REAL studio tour.
I don't get much time for sewing however, because my client likes to hold lots of endless staff meetings.
 This is the entrance to the room where we spend the most time. It's a large room over the garage.

 In the center of the room is my client's office. He only has three legs and at 17 years old is quite arthritic, so he needs stairs to get to his loft space with the window view. And his water is right next to the leg of the cutting table (right hand side), so I spill it daily. But if I move it, I'm guaranteed another staff meeting.
 I used to feed birds so my client and I could watch them from his loft, but a neighbor stole the bird feeder, took it into the woods and vandalized it.
This is the view from the doorway, looking to the left, where I have the elfa storage for cuts of fabric up to 1/2 yard. And this is my fancy electronic Bernina 1630 that I use for piecing. It stitches both forward and reverse!
 This is a longer view of the room. As you can see, the room layout is set up to maximize travel from one place to the other. But given I spend most of my time at my client's office in staff meetings, sewing efficiency is the least of my worries.
I use this sewing machine (Bernina 930) for quilting. It is housed in the sewing table that came with it. Notice how nicely it's laminate matches the faux wood of the formica dining room table behind it. (This was my family's dining room table when I was growing up.) But really the arrangement allows the long table to hold the bulk of the quilt as I'm machine quilting.
Looking back you can see the cutting table and newly constructed design wall that is attached to the back of two shelving units. I got the cutting table from a former employer back in the late 70s when they switched out wood furniture for metal. It was sold as surplus for $10, and is the perfect size and height for pin basting as well as cutting.

15 comments:

LA Paylor said...

I assume I'm leaving a message as you'll be in a staff meeting. I really like your big space to work, especially the walk around cutting/basting table. I have a 1630 and refuse to give it up, although it needed a new motherboard this year. Do you like the 930? Would you buy it again? Please email an answer as I'm afraid I may have to invest in a new machine, and am considering skipping over to Janome. LeeAnna Paylor leeannaquilts@gmail.com
lapaylor.blogspot.com

Queenie Believe said...

This is a beautiful loft studio!! I love the high ceilings!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

Vicki W said...

It's RED! My favorite color and my favorite shade of red too. What a great space. Too bad there are so many distracting client meetings.

Margaret said...

You probably shouldn't be reading personal e-mails while you're working, so I'll keep this brief: lovely loft space -- and the distances you travel probably keep you fit! I hope your employer gives you plenty of time off over Christmas so you can enjoy your space. ;-)

elle said...

ooh, I need a garage so I can have a lovely sewing space above it. VERY nice!

Judy Dietrich said...

I haven't read your blog for long, which was a definite mistake on my part. It took me a little while to catch on--love your sense of humor. He is a gorgeous client to work with. Happy Holidays (if you get vacation days that is)

Millie said...

And I thought I had cranky neighbors! You space is lovely, and I was struck by the fact you are making a sliced quilt in Red White and Blue. I made one in the same colors for my nephew!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful studio! I hope you can keep the boss happy so you can stay :).

Magpie's Mumblings said...

All those client meetings must mean you don't get much time to create. Nice space, and it's too bad you never get to use it!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a beautiful studio you share with your client!! How neat to get a picture of the bear.....from inside!

Kats Studio said...

What a wonderful studio space. I too, have a 3 leg cat (client) but he manages vey well. Thanks for sharing.

Sharon said...

Your client is very generous! Lucky you! I hope he keeps you around for a long time. :-)

Vicki W said...

Congrats! You won the glass sun catcher! I'll get it int he mail to you tomorrow.

Trish said...

I enjoyed reading about your studio...took a bit to realize what was going on! ;). Great humor!
Was your previous employer Ma Bell? I have a table just like that one that my dad bought when the phone company eliminated wood. I

Pat Klein said...

As I have been employed by a succession of geriatric, arthritic and demanding 'clients' myself (and currently work for two elderly purrfectionists), I sympathize with the challenges they can present to both creativity and productivity. I have just adopted a Bernina as recommended by a group of geriatric, arthritic and less demanding senior quilters/caregivers like myself with whom I have recently taken up correspondence -- so far apart from the awkward position of the bobbin and two kibble dishes, I think ours will be a useful partnership.